Need an $800 build

[vmartelle]

So I ordered all my parts and such and this is what I got:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/stEY
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/stEY/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/stEY/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
*CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($20.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
*Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
*Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
*Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.75 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
*Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Total: $797.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-11 06:57 EST-0500)



Unfortunately, it never worked. I replaced all the parts and it still refused to start - even after taking it to tech guys they couldn't figure it out.

So I returned everything except the storage, videocard, optical drive, case and cpu cooler.

Does anyone have a build that has a 7950 video card and an intel i5 3570k with parts that is around $800 and WORKS? I'm a first time builder and it is bringing me down.

 

[AMD Radeon]

complete troubleshooting
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

 

[vmartelle]

I know how the basics of putting together a computer...and that would mean all the computer techs that looked at it didn't know either.

 

[mikerockett]

A 500w PSU is the very minimum recommended for a 7950, it may be that your PSU is not outputting enough power.

 

[vmartelle]

you don't need a graphics card to test boot a motherboard/cpu/memory